Minutes of the Adjourned Special Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, 3rd November 2008 in the Council Chamber, Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co. Clare
Presiding
- Mayor P. Considine
Councillors present
- T. Brennan
- M. Coote Ryan
- J. Flynn
- T. Glynn
- T. Matthew
- F. Neylon
- D. O'Bearra
- J. Reidy
Officials present
- T. Coughlan, Director of Service
- E. Power, Town Clerk
- E. O'Dea, Town Engineer
- S. Barrett, Staff Officer
- L. O'Connor, Senior Staff Officer
The Register of Orders by the Director of Service, Town Clerk and Town Engineer and the Planning Register were on the meeting table.
Item 1 - Adoption of the Minutes of the October Monthly Meeting of Ennis Town Council held on Monday, 6th October 2008 at 3:30 p.m.
Cllr. T. Brennan stated that the Council was advised that the delay with the pedestrian crossings was with the E.S.B. He stated that the E.S.B. have confirmed that they have not as yet received completion certificates and he asked that these be submitted. He enquired as to what was the position with the derelict site at Lifford Road which he had raised previously. E. Power, Town Clerk confirmed that Derelict Sites Notices had been issued in this case. Cllr. J. Flynn raised an issue in relation to Item 8 of the Agenda. He stated that he had not received a copy of the May 2003 Parking Report as requested. He further stated that this matter should have been placed as an Agenda item for this meeting and proposed that it be an Agenda item on the December Monthly Meeting Agenda. T. Coughlan, Town Manager asked if Cllr. Flynn was referring to a Report or a Draft Report. Cllr. J. Flynn stated that a Draft Report prepared in May 2003 stated that there was a shortage of 1,000 parking spaces in Ennis and that it was also referred to in the Concept Plan published in 2004. T. Coughlan stated that the May 2003 Report is a Draft Report and is not for circulation. Cllr. J. Flynn stated that the Final Report was presented in June or July 2004. T. Coughlan, Town Manager stated that he was not aware of any parking study in early 2003 but that it may have been an informal document. The only report available was already circulated. Cllr. J. Flynn stated that he would give a copy of the report to the Town Clerk. T. Coughlan, Town Manager stated that the report had already been circulated to the Members and that there was no evidence to back up the statement that there was a shortage of 1,000 car parking spaces in Ennis. Cllr. F. Neylon suggested that it may have been a future requirement that had been referred to.
Cllr. P. Considine pointed out a typographical error under Item 3 – "Establishment of Joint Policing Committee" of the Minutes - Line four should read "this" and not "his". It was agreed that the Minutes would be amended accordingly.
Ar moladh Cllr. T. Brennan cuidithe ag Cllr. J. Reidy agus glacadh leis:
"That the Minutes, as amended, of the October Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 3.30 on Monday, 6th October 2008 be signed".
Item 1 - Adoption of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 21st October 2008
Ar moladh Cllr. T. Brennan cuidithe ag Cllr. M. Coote Ryan agus glacadh leis:
"That the Minutes of the Special Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 21st October 2008 be signed".
Item 1 - Adoption of the Minutes of the Adjourned Special Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 21st October 2008
Ar moladh Cllr. T. Brennan cuidithe ag Cllr. M. Coote Ryan agus glacadh leis: "That the Minutes of the Adjourned Special Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 21st October 2008 be signed".
Item 1 - Adoption of the Minutes of the Adjourned Special Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 22nd October 2008
Cllr. F. Neylon stated that he had proposed the adoption of the Plan and that this was not reflected in the Minutes. This was seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan and it was agreed to amend the Minutes.
Ar moladh Cllr. M. Coote Ryan cuidithe ag Cllr. T. Matthew agus glacadh leis:
"That the Minutes, as amended, of the Adjourned Special Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 22nd October 2008be signed".
The Mayor and Elected Members agreed that Item 12 on the Agenda should be dealt with at this stage.
Item 12 - Presentation by Earthroute in relation to walking routes survey
Mr. Niall McManus, Earthroute gave a detailed presentation to the Council in relation to the various options for walking routes in Ennis. Cllr. T. Glynn stated that the proposals were impressive and enquired if there would be parking facilities at these walking routes. He further requested that voice activated information panels, in different languages, could be available at each route. N. McManus confirmed that parking would be available at the trailheads and that it would also be possible to download information from the website onto MP3 players. Cllr. J. Flynn stated that public lighting would have to be provided on these walking routes. He also welcomed the provision of the West Clare Railway Loop and asked if this route could be extended to the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park. Cllr. J. Reidy enquired about the maintenance of the routes and who would be responsible for this. N. McManus stated that the provision of public lighting would be considered in the context of the availability of finance. He further stated that Town Council should be responsible for the maintenance of the routes.
Cllr. P. Considine thanked Mr. McManus for the presentation and stated that a full report will be distributed to the Elected Members when it is available.
Item 2 - Declaration of a public road pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 – Maiville Housing Development, Kilrush Road, Ennis
The Elected Members considered the report of E. Power, Town Clerk dated 29th October 2008. It was proposed by Cllr. T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr. M. Coote Ryan, and agreed that Ennis Town Council declare the roads in the Maiville Housing Development to be public roads pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993.
Item 3 - Declaration of a public road pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 – Glensheen Housing Development, Lifford Townland, Ennis
The Elected Members considered the report of E. Power, Town Clerk dated 29th October 2008. It was proposed by Cllr. T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr. P. Considine, and agreed that Ennis Town Council declare the roads in the Glensheen Housing Development to be public roads pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993.
Item 4 - Declaration of a public road pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 – Tobarkeel Housing Development, Lifford Townland, Ennis
The Elected Members considered the report of E. Power, Town Clerk dated 29th October 2008. It was proposed by Cllr. F. Neylon, seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan, and agreed that Ennis Town Council declare the roads in the Tobarkeel Housing Development to be public roads pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993.
Item 5 - Declaration of a public road pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 – Iniscarragh Housing Development, Clonroadmore, Ennis.
The Elected Members considered the report of E. Power, Town Clerk dated 29th October 2008. It was proposed by Cllr. J. Reidy, seconded by Cllr. T. Brennan, and agreed that Ennis Town Council declare the roads in the Iniscarragh Housing Development to be public roads pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993.
Item 6 - Declaration of a public road pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 – Verdant Hill Housing Development, Tulla Road, Ennis
The Elected Members considered the report of E. Power, Town Clerk dated 29th October 2008. It was proposed by Cllr. J. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. J. Reidy, and agreed that Ennis Town Council declare the roads in the Verdant Hill Housing Development to be public roads pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993.
Item 7 - Declaration of a public road pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 – Woodhaven Housing Development, Kilrush Road, Ennis
The Elected Members considered the report of E. Power, Town Clerk dated 29th October 2008. It was proposed by Cllr. T. Brennan, seconded by Cllr. M. Coote Ryan, and agreed that Ennis Town Council declare the roads in the Woodhaven Housing Development to be public roads pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993.
Item 8 - Declaration of a public road pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 – Fior Uisce Housing Development, Gort Road, Ennis
The Elected Members considered the report of E. Power, Town Clerk dated 29th October 2008. It was proposed by Cllr. T. Glynn, seconded by Cllr. J. Flynn, and agreed that Ennis Town Council declare the roads in the Fior Uisce Housing Development to be public roads pursuant to Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993.
Item 9 - To note - New format for 2008 Budget
L. O'Connor, Senior Staff Officer, Finance Section informed the meeting that the 2008 Budget had been circulated in a new format for comparative purposes. The new format would be used in the 2009 Budget.
Item 10 - Fix Date for Budget 2009 Meeting
The Elected Members considered the report of E. Power, Town Clerk dated 29th October 2008. It was agreed that a Preliminary Budget Meeting would take place at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday, 27th November 2008 and that the Annual Budget Meeting would take place at 6.30 p.m. on 17th December 2008.
Item 11 - Fix Date for Special Meeting to consider the making of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2008-2014
A general discussion took place on this matter and it was agreed that a workshop to discuss the Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2008 to 2014 would take place at 6.30 p.m. on 3rd December 2008 and that a Special Meeting would be held at 6.30 p.m. on 5th December 2008.
13 - Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. J. Flynn
"In the context of deregulation and possible departure of E.S.B. Contracts that Ennis Town Council develop an appropriate policy to manage their street lighting asset having regard to public safety; energy efficiency; value for money for maintenance; liability indemnification; design commissioning and certification future street lighting among other items relevant to safe and proper public lighting provided to Ennis town and Environs".
In his written response the Town Engineer replied as follows:
"Clare County Council has engaged a company to carry out a public lighting inventory and asset management system of all public lighting. The software is a specialised lighting management package used by eight other local authorities. The asset register is a statutory requirement of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The public lighting inventory will be used by Local Authorities to tender their public lighting maintenance when their existing contract with E.S.B. Contracts expires".
Cllr. J. Flynn stated that according to the Town Engineer two years ago, the level of service from the E.S.B. was not acceptable. He stated that €2m. will be spent by the Council over the next five years on street lighting. He stated that a policy was required for the design and certification of future lighting schemes which should incorporate Health and Safety requirements. He stated that approximately 7% of public lighting in Ennis was not working up to two years ago but that this had improved to 2%.
E. O'Dea, Town Engineer advised that no indication had been received in relation to the ending of the Contract with the E.S.B. He advised that Clare County Council has engaged a Company to examine the condition of the public lighting network. He will liaise with Clare County Council and revert to the Elected Members.
Item 14 - Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. J. Flynn
"Report to be prepared on progress of C.P.O. to enable construction of Oakleigh Wood/Cappahard traffic roundabout in interest of pedestrian and driver safety and likely construction/completion date of said roundabout".
In his written response the Town Engineer replied as follows:
"The land acquisition at the Oakleigh Wood/Cappahard has turned out to be complex and a meeting will take place in the Roads Section, Clare County Council within the next 10 days to clarify the make up of the C.P.O.".
Cllr. J. Flynn stated that Oakleigh Wood was constructed fourteen years ago and that there were approximately 12,000 vehicles using the Tulla road on a daily basis. He further stated that he had been promised that this compulsory purchase would take place on numerous occasions. E. O'Dea, Town Engineer stated that there had been no traffic count carried out since the construction of the bypass. He stated that the County Council was examining exactly what is required to proceed with the Compulsory Purchase Order. Cllr. J. Flynn stated that he was disappointed with the response received.
At this point, Cllr. P. Considine excused himself from the meeting and Cllr. T. Glynn, Deputy Mayor took the chair.
Item 15 - Correspondence
Letter received from Monaghan Town Council in relation to a Notice of Motion adopted by that Council regarding the non-enforcement of pay and display regulations on those persons involved in the meals on wheels service
Cllr. T. Glynn proposed that the Council support the following Notice of Motion which had been adopted by Monaghan Town Council:
"That Monaghan Town Council, in recognition of the important social service involved and the voluntary participation of those engaged in the distribution of Meals-on-Wheels, approves the issuance of a display disc or discs to the Managers of the Scheme for motor vehicle display purposes while engaged in active distribution of meals to recipient citizens of our town, thereby excusing the vehicle owner/driver from the requirements of our pay and display pay parking regulations and, if adopted, agrees to circulate the motion for the attention of all City, Corporation and Town Councils throughout the State".
Letter received from Kilrush Town Council in relation to a Notice of Motion adopted by that Council regarding the recalling of an Aer Lingus service to Shannon.
Cllr. T. Glynn supported the following Notice of Motion adopted by Kilrush Town Council:
"That this Council call on Minister Killeen and Deputy Dooley to recall our National Airline, Aer Lingus to Shannon Airport".
Letter received from the Department of Health and Children in response to the Council's correspondence to the Minister regarding Ennis General Hospital.
Cllr. F. Neylon requested that a letter be forwarded to Mary Harney, T.D., Minister for Health and Children to clarify if the money allocated to Ennis hospital is going to be spent in Ennis and what is the future status of Ennis Hospital. Cllr. J. Flynn stated that a clear, unambiguous response was required. Cllr. T. Brennan proposed that a letter be issued to Mary Harney, T.D., Minister for Health and Children requesting that she honour the commitment given to the Mayors of Clare and the Oireachtas members. Cllr. T. Matthew stated that he supports both of these suggestions. Cllr. J. Reidy stated that the funding allocated to Ennis must be spent in Ennis. Cllr. T. Glynn also supported the sentiments expressed by the other Elected Members. It was agreed that the Minister would be written to regarding Ennis Hospital.
Letter received from Clones Town Council in relation to a Notice of Motion adopted by that Council regarding the fuel allowance scheme.
It was proposed by Cllr. J. Flynn, seconded by Cllr. M. Coote Ryan and agreed to support the following Notice of Motion which had been adopted by Clones Town Council:
"That Clones Town Council writes to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hannafin and the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, requesting that the Fuel Allowance Scheme be doubled, and that the payment be extended to 34 weeks instead of the current 30 weeks. We also request that the Living Alone Allowance be doubled, in line with the proposal from Age Action. That we circulate this motion to all Local Authorities".
Item 16 - Conferences and Seminars
;"Constructive City and County Leadership through Business Improvement Districts" Conference being organised by County Carlow Chamber and taking place at the Mount Wolseley Hilton Hotel, Tullow, Co. Carlow on 7th November 2008.
On the proposal of Cllr. F. Neylon seconded by Cllr. T. Matthew, the Council nominated Cllr. D. O'Bearra as a Delegate to attend this Conference.
Item 17 - Any other business
Cllr. T. Brennan criticised the illegal parking taking place at Park Avenue. He asked why the estate had not been taken over by the Council and requested that double yellow lines be provided to prevent illegal parking. This was seconded by Cllr. P. Considine.
E. Power, Town Clerk referred to the issue of pedestrianisation of Abbey Street and O'Connell Street prior to Christmas. He stated that proposals to pedestrianise these streets would have to take account of traffic management, and in particular the impact on traffic flow of the ongoing flood relief scheme works at Parnell Street and Wood Quay car park. He further indicated that he was awaiting information from the Office of Public Works and the Contractor regarding the planned work programme for December. Cllr. T. Brennan stated that the Contractor should make the necessary arrangements so that the scheme has minimal impact on traffic movement and parking in December. Cllr. J. Flynn stated that he supported this suggestion. He further stated that he would have difficulty with pedestrianisation on 6th and 13th as it was too early. He also stated that the commencement time of 10.00 a.m. was too early. E. Power, Town Clerk advised the meeting that the Office of Public Works have made arrangements with the owners of the multi storey car park in the Market which allows a set number of business permit holders from the Parnell Street area to park free of charge in the multi storey car park.
E. O'Dea, Town Engineer advised the meeting that in response to a query raised at the October Meeting he had inspected the proposed parking area at Marian Avenue and it was not possible to move the disabled parking space to the opposite side of the road. Cllr. T. Brennan stated that this was not what he had requested and asked that the disabled space be located at the opposite end of the ordinary parking spaces. The Town Engineer agreed to examine the issue.
Cllr. J. Flynn suggested that the Council write to the Minister for Finance to request him to remove the €10.00 travel tax recently introduced in the Budget. Cllr. J. Reidy asked if there was an equal charge on all Irish Airports. Cllr. T. Brennan suggested that a €10.00 tax be placed on all traffic to Dublin and that the tax on Shannon Airport be reduced to €2.00.
Cllr. T. Brennan stated that the bungalows at the end of Marian Avenue were serviced with lead water pipes. He requested that a new water line be installed along the lane at the back of the Marian Avenue houses to service these bungalows.
The meeting then concluded.